NYC Rat Academy 2024: Takeaways from

Dr. Bobby Corrigan

By Lindsay Pick

Working for a technology company, I never imagined I’d find myself at a Rodent Academy. Yet attending the May 21 event hosted by the New York City Health Department turned out to be an incredibly valuable experience. Dr. Bobby Corrigan, a recognized expert and self-described “rodentologist,” shared invaluable insights about how modern urban government should approach rodent control.

A good deal of the conversation focused on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques, some of which covered well known techniques and principles. But there was also discussion of issues just emerging into the mainstream. What jumped out at me – and again, perhaps it’s not surprising given my tech background – was this statement from Dr. Corrigan: “If you’re not monitoring, you’re not doing IPM.”

Despite the advances in pest control technology in recent years, the industry remains conservative when it comes to adopting new ideas. Early versions of connected traps, for instance, didn’t change the game that much: a Bluetooth signal is short-ranged, so having a Bluetooth-instrumented bait box that tells you when something happened still requires a visit to the site to access the data. Similarly, a smart snap trap with a more powerful connectivity source – LoRaWAN, for instance, or WiFi can tell you remotely when something is in the trap, but you still have to go clear and reset it.

The real message came down to data and the crucial role of monitoring. Dr. Corrigan’s emphasized why he believes sensors are the future and we continue to learn and educate ourselves on new ways to get clever and resilient rodents under control. He stressed the need for leveraging technology while prioritizing prevention and exclusion strategies. Remote sensors, he said, whether inside a bait box or aimed at rodent transit points, “will be a standard part of the pest industry” in the future.

This event helped open my eyes to the complexity of rodent control and the fact that it’s not just about tools tactics: It’s an art!

Matt Medici of Microshare, Dr. Bobby Corrigan and Microshare’s Lindsay Pick and Chief Product Officer Charles Paumelle

Participating in field assignments, like scouring NYC for signs of rodent activity, offered another perspective, especially for a sales rep in the tech sector. Rodents are cunning creatures, so we need to use technology and tools to outsmart them.

The Rodent Academy has a diverse attendance—from PCOs and consultants to representatives from sanitation, education departments, and food production- and each fostered insightful discussions. Hearing about their strategies and challenges added depth to my understanding.

I highly recommend Dr. Bobby’s Academy to any Pest Management Professional (PMP) or technology provider because the knowledge gained is invaluable for deploying technology effectively.

My two major takeaways were:

• We don’t know nearly as much as we think we do about on-site rodent activity. There is a pivotal role that technology plays in uncovering the full story, in showing what happens when humans are not present. Tech will play a vital role in prevention and exclusion efforts.
• Technology is a game-changer for those who prioritize early detection of rising rodent pressure.

Lindsay Pick is a sales executive in North America at Microshare. 

Lindsay Pick from Microshare